Buffalonians reflect on Pope Francis' legacy: 'We should be building bridges, not walls'
16
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Local Catholics are mourning Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and its first Latin American pontiff, who died at the age of 88.
The Vatican announced his passing on Easter Monday at 7:35 a.m. local time. He died at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.
“He’s a man who did so much for my church, and he now has the prize of all that effort,” said local Catholic Thomas Beecher. “He lived in a guest house. He didn’t live in the Papal Mansion or anything like that. He used to take a bus to work, and he used to fix his own meals — that’s my kind of guy.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected to the papacy in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His tenure was marked by humility, social justice efforts, and outreach to the marginalized. He was widely recognized for addressing global issues such as poverty, climate change, and economic inequality.
Many in Buffalo are reflecting on the late pope’s unique leadership style and the values he brought to the Church.
“One of the things that comes back to me was when the big hullabaloo about immigration was going on,” said John Felix, a local Catholic. “And what he said was, we should be building bridges, not walls. That stuck with me.”
Pope Francis was also the first Jesuit pope, a fact that resonated with many of the faithful in Western New York.
“Having been Jesuit-educated, I was very impressed and very happy to hear when he was announced as pope,” said Dick Lehner, a local Catholic. “I think he brought a great deal of dignity to the office, to the service of the church. I think his memory will be etched in the minds of many people.”
As Catholics around the world mourn his death, local faith leaders are looking ahead — reflecting on the legacy Pope Francis leaves behind and the qualities they hope to see in the next pontiff.
“We’re supposed to love one another,” said Monsignor Frederick Leising of the Diocese of Buffalo. “We’re supposed to practice the Beatitudes, keep the great commandments of the Mosaic tradition, and we know that most importantly, we need to have our love represent the virtues that are inherent in love — forgiveness, mercy, compassion.”
As Buffalo reflects on Pope Francis’s lasting legacy, his message of faith and unity continues to echo across the Queen City.